'It doesn't look like Christmas at all' - mum's appeal to brighten up Derbyshire village where festive lights are missing
A mum has issued an appeal to rekindle the Christmas spirit in her village where festive lights are missing.
Rachel Egley is determined to bring a bit of magic and sparkle to Creswell. She said: “I’m asking businesses to come together to try and donate a Christmas tree or solar lights. Creswell is looking dull – it doesn’t look like Christmas.”
The festive lights which have illuminated the village for years have been stolen, according to Elmton with Creswell Parish Council. The council’s clerk, Kimberley Walker, said: “I can confirm that the lights were stolen from a council owned compound in mid-November and promptly reported to the police and also the insurers. There is no budgeted expenditure for replacement lights, but the council is hoping to be able to include funding for replacement lights in its financial year 2026/27 budget process.
“The regular Christmas tree outside the Events Centre and Christmas trees in Elmton are not affected and have been provided as normal.”
Rachel, who has lived in Creswell for most of her life, said: “We’re paying over the odds for Council Tax which has been hiked because of a heritage centre that has been put up, a building that nobody wanted but the council decided on.”
She runs Rachel’s Magical Entertainment, a business supplying children’s characters to birthday parties and meet and greet events throughout the country. Rachel has amassed a collection of 200 characters since launching her business 12 years ago and now employs three people.
Two seasonal favourites – Elf on the Shelf and The Grinch – will join Rachel, 37, at Creswell Events Centre on Saturday, December 6 at 6pm. Rachel, who is mum to two-year-old Mya, said: “I’m going to bring my characters out to cheer all the children up. I’ll try and turn the dullness into something festive, even if it is just for 30 minutes.”
Lauren Hewitt posted: “This is brilliant thank you for cheering the kiddies up.”
Anyone who can help Rachel in her mission to light up Creswell for Christmas can contact her via www.facebook.com/rachelsmagicalentertainment